This is an article from American religious historian Tisa Wenger which offers a guide to the complex history of religious freedom and argues that there is a way forward for progressive people troubled by the recent uses of religious freedom.

What did you know about the history of religious freedom in the United States before reading this article?

What were some of the things you learned by reading it?

One of Wenger’s arguments is that religious freedom does not have a singular meaning but that the meaning of the term has always been contested. She describes how religious freedom has been used as a defense by many different groups for many different ends. How would you define religious freedom?

Wenger writes about how religious freedom has been a valuable legal tool for persecuted groups and minority religions. Were you aware of this history? What did you make of it?

Despite the ways religious freedom has been used to benefit minority religious groups, Wenger writes that “all too often the ideal of religious freedom has worked in favor of the majority white Christian population.” Why do you think this has been the case?

After detailing the mixed history of religious freedom, Wenger ends the piece encouraging progressive people to “embrace rather than reject the ideal of religious freedom and put the ideal to work alongside other civil rights guarantees on behalf of those who need it most.” What do you make of this suggestion? How can progressive people, especially people of faith, embrace the ideal of religious freedom, reclaiming the concept to pursue justice for the vulnerable and the marginalized?